Find Your Place at Saint Mary’s University

© Courtesy of Saint Mary's University

Find Your Place at Saint Mary’s University

At Saint Mary’s University (SMU) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, students do more than just earn degrees. They discover their passions, gain real-world experience, and join a supportive community dedicated to their success. SMU knows that education is not one-size-fits-all, so its flexible programs and innovative approach are designed to align with each student's unique passions. Whether your interests lie in business, cutting-edge sciences, or humanities and social sciences, you’ll find your place here.

YOUR PASSIONS, YOUR EDUCATION

SMU offers the flexibility and selection to design an education aligned with your goals. Take current student Kara MacLean, a SMU women’s hockey team member. Alongside her psychology degree, Kara is completing the Certificate in Health, Wellness & Sport in Society and recently worked as a research assistant at SMU’s Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health.

Along with the Certificate in Health, Wellness & Sport in Society, students with an interest in sport can customize their degree with the Certificate in Sports Business, as well as the upcoming majors in these areas (pending MPHEC approval).

The Bachelor of Commerce program at the Sobey School of Business has also been recently refreshed to include courses in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and operations management. This commitment to innovation allows SMU students to align their education with their unique interests and career paths—including Bachelor of Commerce student Adrianna Timmons, who has a keen interest in sustainable business.

She was recently honoured with the Excellence Award for PRME North America Student Leadership, a United Nations-supported initiative. This prestigious award is presented to a remarkable student leader who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to advancing sustainability and responsible business practices on campus and in the broader community.

LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Saint Mary's has been ranked third in the nation among the Best Primarily Undergraduate Universities for three consecutive years and holds the top spot as the best primarily undergraduate university in Nova Scotia.

At SMU, education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Through co-ops, internships, research opportunities, and leadership roles, our students dive into real-world experiences that shape their careers and make a difference. They graduate with the knowledge, skills and connections to thrive, ready to leave their mark on the world. In 2024, for example, dozens of SMU undergraduate students participated in paid summer internships across diverse disciplines, from studying black holes to criminology research.

This year, students travelled to Kazakhstan to compete in the Enactus World Cup, showcasing innovative projects that drive social and business impact while gaining practical experience to shape their future. And in the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, students have access to countless opportunities to engage with local businesses to receive mentorship and handson experience that nurtures their entrepreneurial mindset.

Bachelor of Environmental Studies student Emma McGuinness’s summer honours project took her to Nova Scotia’s beautiful coastline.

Using levelling equipment and techniques to collect data, Emma's beach surveying research focuses on the nature and evolution of enclosed coastal lagoons and barrier beaches along the Atlantic Coast.

In the Faculty of Arts, Saint Mary’s Anthropology professor Dr. Jonathan Fowler and his students are using ground-penetrating radar at the historical Old Burying Ground in Halifax. Together, they are creating an interactive map that will tell the stories of some of the thousands of people buried there.

In the Faculty of Science, Saint Mary’s students are helping shape the future of robotics in Dr. Adel Merabet’s lab, where their work is focused on computer vision and machine learning, showing the potential for commercial applications. Engineering student Sarah MacDonald works alongside Dr. Merabet's team.

"With small class sizes, I’ve had the opportunity to make strong connections with my peers and professors within the Engineering program,” said Sarah. “There is a sense of community here that feels supportive and that has given me practical, hands-on learning opportunities that bring our more theoretical study to life.”

JOIN A SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

The support and community at Saint Mary’s are unique—you feel it as soon as you step on campus. Robust student support, open conversations, and a diverse and inclusive community means students can achieve their goals within a supportive community alongside professors, mentors and fellow students who believe in them.

It’s no wonder that Saint Mary’s University is recognized as one of Canada’s top 50 research institutions, punching above its weight in research impact. Students graduate ready to make a difference— equipped with the knowledge, skills, and community connections to excel.

Find your place at Saint Mary's University. Visit smu.ca/goeast